Santa Clara County residents, particularly in San Jose's Santa Teresa area, have a right to be furious. Furious that, despite years of suffering and complaints, the city and region remain unable to adequately respond to the homelessness crisis. Furious that people denied any alternative still live in creekbeds and under bridges. Furious that opposition by a small group of neighbors threatens to sink one of our best chances of dealing with the problem, the proposed tiny-home site at the Cottle light-rail station.

VTA already describes Cottle Station's parking lot as "underutilized", and has been planning for years to redevelop it. San Jose City Council voted unanimously late last year -- with the support of the area's then-councilmember Matt Mahan, now mayor -- to place 100 tiny homes on this site for the otherwise homeless. The city hopes, recognizing that homelessness is a citywide problem, to put tiny homes in each of its 10 districts. It's time for District 10 to do its part. And a transit parking lot is a great location for such a site, because residents will be able to take the train or bus to look for jobs.